Itching. Is this Herpes?

[diabolos3]

It has been 32 days since I've been exposed and It has been itching for 4 days now.  I'm afraid I have herpes.  Any incite would greatly be appreciated.

Here are my symptoms in detail:

1) It itches in the area just above my penis (my groin area)

2) It feels slightly irritated, itchy and hot.

3) In the morning it is fine-and then the more I move through out the day it progresses.
If I stay still it begins to go away.

4) Before these symptoms began, I felt very tiny shooting pains (for just a split second at a time) in the area.

Thanks so much for reading and wish me luck.

[diabolos3]

A Dermatologist then.  

The one I went to, pretty much patted me on the back and sent me home-For 90$.  So then, I'll seek out a new one.  Boy, has my mistake taught me a lesson.  

Thank you Grace, for your support and recommendation.

~Bye~

[gracefromHHP]

At this point there is nothing we can do on an online forum to help you. You need to continue following up on this with your dermatologist. Sorry but there's nothing else I could possibly add.  

grace

[diabolos3]

Hello grace and all.  I want to thank you graciously, for reading the following:

I' m still trying to find out what is wrong with me. While new symptoms arise, I stay concerned with no answers.  Here are 2 questions.  Each is followed by symptomatic clues that may help in drawing parallels.

1)Concerning a rash in my groin, what type of doctor specializes in this area?  In other words, who do I go see?

I went to a dermatologist, a regular doctor, and multiple std clinics-No answers.
Any guesses to what this rash is, or how to kill it?  

A description of the rash:
I've had it since I was exposed to herpes two months ago (who knows what else).  It is right in the crease of where my leg meets my groin-Right next to my testicles.
It's red, itches, hurts slightly and has began to bleed slightly.  The skin in that area peels away.  The rash begins to go away when rubbing alcohol is applied everyday.  Yet, it returns when I stop.

2)  Folliculitis.
Since I was exposed to herpes, I've been getting Foliculitis in random places.  I asked the doctor if it could possibly be from HIV and she said "no, Folliculitis would only happen after having HIV for a long time".  I tested Negative for HIV last week.  My Folliculitis is occurring on top of my wrists(right in the bend) and down the center of my chest (below my breast plate).  These are definitely not ingrown hairs.


So the combination of these two never before experienced symptoms, along with my extreme Sciatica (not due to a herniated disc) is alarming.  I still have not had a Herpes outbreak for two months since contact.  I've experienced Sciatica for the last 10 days.  Upon the first day of taking Quick Clear( an herbal HSV-outbreak elimination supplement) it went away.  Now I plan to discontinue its use to see if it comes back.

Any incite is so much appreciated as I have little money to go to a doctor who can take the time to figure this out with me.

Thanks again and blessings.

        

[gracefromHHP]

Herpes would not make you progressively more tired and weak.  

Continue to follow up as neededat the clinic.

grace

[diabolos3]

Hi grace and all,

I went to the doctor today, and she sure seemed puzzled.  I got a rapid HIV test(negative!) thank God!  I also did a urine Chlamydia test that I'm waiting for.  I showed the doctor the bumps on my arm and she said it's "probably" folliculitis and not to worry.  I am to come back for more testing (HSV/HIV/etc...) soon.  Until then I just don't know what to do.  I have very little money at the moment.  This is a free clinic and although they are very nice, I'm so desperate for some sort of clue.  I'm becoming progressively more and more tired and weak.  I feel like this is becoming urgent and don't know where to go or who to talk to.  

Thanks for reading and all your help-hope your doing well:)      

[gracefromHHP]

You need to continue to follow up on this with your provider. It's very unlikely to be shingles and it's very unlikely to be hiv related too.  

It probably also would behoove you to stop looking up things online. All you are doing is adding to your anxiety about all of this from the sounds of it. NOTHING replaces a proper exam by a trained medical provider.

grace

[dave395]

I've had the same types of symptoms as you.
I'm also freaked out about this, but I know I just have to wait to find out for sure.
Can any one respond to this question:

Is there anyone here who have had these symptoms (all the 'prodome' symptoms), but eventually found out they did not have herpes?

I'm wondering if I'm just being hyper sensitive.  I decided to quit thinking about it, and it seems only when I'm really paying attention do I find that I notice any possible symptoms.  

[diabolos3]

HIV/Shingles?

I'm perplexed...again.  So I'll share my symptoms with you, and follow with 3 questions.  I've gone to the doctors 4 times now and still no answer.  They told me I shouldn't bother testing until I reach the 3 month mark-Unless I have an outbreak. Although no outbreak yet, the symptoms I'm experiencing are begging to scare me.  They Seem serious.  I'm worried it might be HIV and, or, Shingles.  It has been a month and 10 days since I've been thoroughly exposed to HSV2.  The woman I had unprotected sex with may have had anything.

Here are my symptoms:

I've been depressed
Right leg is soar all up and down with tingling for 6 days now
Tingling and short stings on scrotum and crotch area.
Short stings all over body (occasionally)
Itchy pubic area/slight burn
Tiny shiny itchy bumps on top of left hand (3 or 4)
Single red raised bumps on wrist and forearm(about 1/16" diameter)
Dizziness/tired (I'm never dizzy)
Weight loss, 7 pounds in 1 month
Muscles twitch all over me body

My questions are:

1)  Can you get Shingles from catching Herpes?
I've already had chicken poxs when I was young.

2)  Can you get shingles from having HIV?

3)  Do my symptoms point to something els?  

Interestingly, I've described the leg pain to a few doctors and they say it sounds like nothing.  Where as, upon looking it up line, It is mentioned as being something serious.

Thank you for reading and taking the time with me-It means a lot.  
  

[gracefromHHP]

You've convinced yourself you have herpes.  

Go see your provider for further evaluation.

grace

[diabolos3]

Prodrome...

After doing more research online.  I'm realizing that I'm experiencing the prodrome symptoms of herpes.  I'm learning to except that I have it and trying to prepare myself for a soon to come first outbreak.  

What I'm more concerned about is recently having sex with someone-And the possibility that I've given it to them.  I could never forgive myself if that's the case.  At the time of the sex, I felt no symptoms but a few hours after came pain in my calf and an irritation and slight itch in my pubic area.  This is very concerning as I read that it is most contagious during prodrome and outbreak.  Before the sex I figured I was fine and wouldn't be putting anyone at risk.  I don't know if I should tell them the situation or leave them be unless they mention something.  I feel terrible about this.

[diabolos3]

Haha, No, you don't sound like a witch at all.  Perhaps a saint-Although I'm not religious.  I fully understand and can't thank you enough grace.  With your compassion, you're making the world a better place.

Today, I woke up with numbness on my inner thigh, pain in my left testicle and the muscles in the back of my right leg have been tense and kind of tingly for a few days.  Although I'm 99% sure I have it.  I'm going in to get tested today.  

Thanks again-

[gracefromHHP]

I'm sure I sound like a bit of a witch but please just look at things from my perspective too. I do this as a volunteer.  You are getting a medical professionals help for nothing.  Obviously I had to go look at your prior posts to say what I did so having this question in the original post would've saved me the time of looking up that info.  this forum gets very busy somedays so anything anyone can do to help make it easier for me to give decent info  is much appreciated by me :)

and as sutherlandsarah pointed out - there are limitations of what an online forum and looking up info online can do. Nothing can beat a medical provider seeing your symptoms in the flesh and being able to do a proper exam and testing.  

grace

[sutherlandsarah]

While Grace may be extremely good at what she does, she cannot diagnose you on your symptoms alone.  If this is as nerve wracking as you say it is,  you need to go see a doctor who can give you the proper tests and get diagnosed that way.

[diabolos3]

Ok, well I've read the "before posting" section and still thought this new post was appropriate.  The reasons being the time laps and my new symptoms.  But I totally understand your point and am very thankful regardless.  I'll make sure to just add to threads in the future.  

About my symptoms:

I'm sure I have something, I just don't know what it is.  About a week ago, I had written my fear of having herpes off.  I became care free, then this itching started.  I looked up other STDs that create itching and found Follicalitus, Lice, Scabies, Jock itch, and Yeast infection.  But through process of elimination, its pointing back to Herpes.  What concerned me was the "Symptomatic Course of the Disease" description I read.  It mentioned the signs of an outbreak first beginning with inflammation.  This included, swelling, tenderness, itching and sensitivity.  That's what this feels like.  It also mentioned that one of the "triggers" was friction on the skin. Which I'm assuming is why it gets worse the more I walk around.  The muscle in my left calf and back thigh feel a bit tense as well.  Sorry to spew all this out-But I'm a  nervous wreck and can't sleep.  Mentally, it's been rough.  

Thanks for reading and taking the time:)

[gracefromHHP]

If you read our read before posting post, we ask that you just keep adding updates to your original thread to save us from having to go look it up. thank you for your future cooperation with this.

It really sounds like you are still spending a lot of time obsessing over your genital area.  it doesnt sound like herpes. I really don't have anything to add from your other post.

grace